ICB and Healthwatch publish new ground-breaking women's health report

Launched last year by North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), the Big Conversation heard from almost 5,000 women as part of a programme aiming to make the region a driving force for better women's health. The new report - published by the region's independent Healthwatch network - used a regionwide survey and a series of focus groups to better understand what matters to women about their health.

Samantha Allen, the ICB's chief executive, said: 

"I welcome this report and I'm keen to learn from what women have told us. We have made progress in some areas with women's health hubs, working to improve menopause care and support, and training more primary care staff in contraceptive fitting.

"But we know there is a lot more to do such as better support for conditions like poly-cystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis, more options for postnatal contraception and helping more women in deprived areas get hormone replacement therapy when they need it. If we can make things better for girls and women, everyone benefits."